Compressing apparatus for sprayers and the like



F. M. HOWE COMPRESSING APPARATUS FOR SPRAYERS AND THE LIKE Sept. 29, 1925.

Filed Jan. 19, 1923- 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5140244 6040 FRHN/(MUHEHNHQWE 33 (If/tom F. M. HOWE GOMPRESSING APPARATUS FOR SPRAYERS AND LIHE LIKE Filed Jan. 19, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 8440044 605 FHHNKMDREHN Ha WE Sept 29, W25.

F.- M. HOWE COMPRESSING APPARATUS FOR SPRAYBRS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 19. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 wwemcoz: FRHNKMUFQHNHUWE Fax:

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Sept. 29, 1925.

F. M. HOWE COMPRES-SING APPARATUS FOR SPRAYERS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 19, 1923 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 flllllfl/l I awwowtoz FRHNKMURE'HN Haw:

Patented Sept. 29, 1925.-

mum; MORGAN nown, or new YORK, Tu. Y.

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Application filed January 19, 1923. Serial No. 613,675.

-. To all whom it maycoaoem:

Be it known that I, FRANK MORGAN Howe, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, 6197, -6 county, and State of New York, have mvented'certain new and useful Improvements in Compressing Apparatus for Sprayers and the like, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact! description; I

My invention relates to compressing apparatus "for supplying .air for blow-piping, spraying or nebulizing purposes and the like. One of. the objectsy'of my invention is to provide means whereby the commonly 15 used form of sprayer and nebuliz'er may be used without modification while 'avoiding the usual storage and connections thereto. I

A second object of my invention is' to '20 provide a portable air compressing apparatus sufficiently compact to be conveniently placedin the workroom or oflice of a dentist, physician or other person, and of sufficient capacity to be connected direct to the OI'dl- 2 nary type of sprayer, when 'usedjfor nebulizing. I I

Further objectsand advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken so in connection with the accompanying drawing in whicha Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic viewof a spraying and nebulizing apparatus according to my invention; D

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail'ofa combined air valve and electric switch according to my invention, and used vin the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate details oithe air 'valve appearing in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of a modified form of combined conductors and tube or conduit according to my invention;

tank

Figs. 7 is a central vertical section,

I Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Fig.

-Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 oi Fig. 10; 1

Figs. 13,14 and 15am detail views of the intake valve structure appearing in Fig. 11, and 7 Fig. 16 is a section on the line 16-16 of t Fig. 7.

In the drawing,- 1 indicates a sprayer of the well-known commercial form, the air for which is furnished, according to. my invention, from an electrically driven air compressor 2. The ordinary commercial system involving sprayers'similar to that indicated at 1 provides an air compressor delivering air to a reservoir connected to the sprayer by m'eans'of a system of pipes, in-v cl'udin a flexible conduit terminating in a valve aving a nozzle adapted to be used with any one of a number of sprayers. -According to my invention, the reservoir and piping are eliminated, with the exception of a flexible tube or conduit connecting the air compressor unit directly with the valve, the circuitof the motor -for driving the compressor being carried to the valve structure and aswitch arranged in combination with the valve so that the air compressor is started and stopped substantially at the same time that the air valve is opened and closed when the sprayer is in use. In this way, necessity for the expensive reservoir and its systemot piping is avoided, while I am nevertheless able, according to my invention, to provide a compact motor driven compressor unit sufliciently powerful to accomplish all the results in the way of spraying and nebulizing watery and oily liquids now accomplished by the expensive reservoir ing 3 connects with the combined valve.

and switch structure or holder 4, according to my invention, structure 4 having a tapered nozzle 5 for delivering air to the sprayer, and designed, as has been customary in. air valves of this type, to accommodate the variety of sprayers for different purposes. The end, of the air conduit is passed over the' lower end of the tube 6 within the structure 4, said tube having projections 7 thereon over which the conduit is passed, whereby the conduit is held securely in place. At the lower end of the what eyond the upper end of the tube 6.

In the upper end of the structure 4 is a chamber 12 within which is a spring re tracted plunger 13 adapted when pressed against its spring by the thumb or hand piece 14 to press down the stem 11 and open the valve to permit .airto pass through tube 6 into chamber 12 and out through nozzle 5 to the sprayer. the body of structure 4 and lying parallel to the valve structure just described is a. switch comprising an insulating base 15 within which are mounted two spring contacts 16, 16 which are connected at their lower ends below the base 15 to wires 17, 17 forming part of the circuit for driving the motor of the compressor unit 2. The contacts 16 extend above the base 15 and are normally separated, but are pressed together at their upper ends by a plunger 18 connected to and operated by the thumb piece 14 previously mentioned, the valve 10 and switch contacts 16 being thus operated by the same member and so controlled by one hand of the user.v

While I have shown an electric switch comprising contacts 16, and a valve 10 jointly operated by a thumb iece 14, I do not desire to be limited to t is particular form of structure, since any other suitable type of electric switch may be employed, which may be operated independently of the valve 10 or jointly therewith the primary object being to provide both the switch and valve controls on a single holder directly to the part 6, as

4, so that the apparatus may be controlled by one hand of the user.

Accordin to my invention, I prefer to lead the wires 17, 17 from the unit 2 to the valve structure 4 within the conduit 3, a convenient arrangement for this purpose being to provide the conduit structure with J an inner tube a and an outer woven protecconnected reviously mentioned, and the wires 17, 17 being run between the tube a and the cover I).

The compressor unit 2 is in some aspects an improvement over the compressor unit disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 518,003 filed Nov. 26, 1921.

Unit 2 comprises a compressor casing 19 connected to a motor casing by bolts 20, 20. The interior of casin 19 is divided into three chambers, one being a central chamber 21 for the gearing operated by the motor, and the other two chambers 22, 22

tive cover I), the tube a bein containing the air compressor cylinders and Within K the operating mechanism therefor. I find it necessary to use much heavier oil for the motor driven gearing than for the cams directly associated with the compressing pistons, and hence have placed these different elements in separate oil-tight cham-- bers so thatthere may be no leakage of oil from one chamber to the next.

The casing of the motor is divided into two parts 23 and 2A separated along a transverse vertical plane, as illustrated in Figs. 7 8 and 9. Within the motor casing is an electric motor comprising an armature 25, an armature shaft 26, and pole pieces 27. The pole pieces are cut away, as illustrated at 28 (Fig. 16), and bolts 29, 29 for holding parts 23 and 24 of the motor casing together are passed through the apertures 28 in said pole pieces. The motor shaft 26 extends into the chamber 21 of the compressor casing and has a worm 30 thereon, worm 30 meshing with a worm wheel 31 on a cam shaft 32. Shaft 32, as best illustrated in Fig. 10, passes throu h the walls of the chamber 21 into chain rs 22, there being oil-tight bearings 33 33 at the points where this shaft passes through these walls to support the shaft and at the same time prevent the passage of oil from one chamber to the next. At each end of shaft .32 is acam 34 for operating pistons 35, 35 in cylinders 36, 36, said pistons being driven in one direction by said cams and retracted by springs 37, 37, which surround the cylinders 36 and bear against shoes 38, 38 (Fig. 11) at the lower ends of said pistons.

Cylinders 36 are preferably formed integral, according to my invention, with a transverse casting 39 separate from the easing, member 39 extending across the upper -ends of the chambers 22 and being held in place by bolts 39. At the upper ends of the cylinders are placed the usual intake valves 41, 41, and outlet valves 42, 42, the latter permitting the passage of air to duct 43 in the casting 39 rom which connection may be made by a nipple 44 to conduit 3. I also provide means whereby an excess pressure of air in duct 43 may be relieved, this means comprising a valve casing 45 connecting with the duct 43 and also with the interior of the cap 40, the latter being connected to the outer air. Within the casing 45 is a valve 45 normally seated by a sprmg 46, the latter being held down by a threaded projection 47 at the lower end of a knurled piece 48. Piece 48 projects up through the cap 40 and bears a collar 49 designed to contact with the inner faceof the cap 40 when the threaded part 47 is in the position .to I create the minimum desired tension in the spring 46.

The part 23 of the motor casing has a shouldered enga ement with the com ressor casing, and also as a bracket 50, pro erahly integral with pai-t=23,. there being an .aperturein the compressor casin 1e nto the gear chamber 21 into which bracket-50 projects. Within the bracket 50 is a bearing 51 for the shaft 26. On the inner faceof the bracket 50 at'the end of bearing 51 is 'a thrust bearing 52, there being a collar 53 on shaft 26. Preferably, I provide anti-friction balls 54 between the thrust member 52 and the collar 53. The shaft 26 has also an enlargement or hub 55- at the point where the shaft passes through the face of casing .23, hub 55 being designed to prevent passage of oil along the shaft to the armature. To fur.- ther prevent the creeping of oil to the arma- 'ture, I provide a circumferential groove 56 in the end of easing part 23, groove 56 surrounding the hub 55 and having an outlet at 57 (Fig. 7) to drain oil downwardly therefrom. v

It will be seen, the armature shaft turns in such direction that bracket 50 is under tension, the actual Stress from the worm gear thus being confined to the minimum length of the shaft 26. Moreover, the cams 34 oil the bearings 33 of shaft 32 and the bearing surfaces of pistons 35 and cylinders 36 by splashing. However, I find it preferable to provide spring members 58 in chambers 23 which press slightly against the cams 34 to prevent excessive splashing.

The lower portions of chambers 21 and 22 are formed in a base piece'or casting 59 normally held in place by removable bolts per mitting the ready access to the gearing and other mechanism in thesechambers. I find, moreover, that special means must be provided to prevent the oil in chambers 22, 22 being carried up above the pistons 35 on the suction stroke of the pistons and thereafter being forced out with the pressure air. I have successfully avoided this difiiculty by providing ventilating means for chambers 22, 22 which pump air to these chambers while preventing loss of lubricant. A satisfactory arrangement for this. purpose is illustrated in Fig. 11-.where 60 is a screw running down from under the cap 40 within one of the chambers 22, screw 60 having a small vent therethrough but extending far enough into'chamber 22 so that no oil will escape therefrom in case the compressor unit is accidentall inverted.

Wires lea to the motor are carried through the motor casing by convenient terminal members clearly indicated in Figs. .7 and 16, and a handle 61 is also attached to the unit whereby it may be conveniently handled. Suitable legs whereb the conipressor unit may rest on a ,she for other suitable support are indicated at 62, 62. While I prefer to form the conduit 3, as

illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, with a woven rotective cover b, I alsouse a conduit 3', as indicated in Fig. 6, in which the. wall .ofthe conduit proper is sufiiciently'thick to enable the wires 17 to-be embedded therein.

' It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the air compressing unit disclosed herein is capable of supplying" air not only for spraying and nebulizing by the means ordinarily used for these purposes and withp ,out an intermediate storage tank, but is also adapted to supply air forblow pipeand other work.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

.1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination 'of an air pump, an electric,

motor for driving said pump, a holder adapted to be held in the hand having air connections with said pump,'a valve for controlling the air to said holder, and a switch for controlling the current to said motorboth carried by said holder, and means on said holder whereby said valve and switch are operated. I a

2.' Compressing apparatus for sprayers and the like comprising an air pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, a

structure adapted to be held in the hand having flexible connectionswith said pump integral therewith, a valve for controlling the air to said structure, and a switch for controlling the current to said motor both carriedby said structure, and means whereby said valve and switch are operated, said means being arrariged for operation by the hand ,holding said structure.

3. .In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of an air pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, a structure adapted to beheld in the hand having connections with said pump, a valve for con- 0 trolling the air to said ,structure, and a switch for controlling the'current tosaid motor both carried by said structure, and 1 means whereby said valve and switch are operated, said means being arranged for operation by the thumb of the hand holding said structure. V

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an air pump, an electric motor for drivin said pump, a holder adapted to be hel in the hand having air connections with said ump, a valve for controlling the air to sai holder and a switch for controlling the current to said motor both carried-by said holder, and means on said holder whereby said valve and switch are operated, said air connections comprising. a conduit having a body and an outer motor to said switch and carried between said covering and the body of "the conduit.

1 protective covering, wires running from said 5. In a compressing unit for furnishing air for Sprayers and the the combination of an air compressor cylinder having a stemless pistonv therein, a cam for oper-v ating said piston in' directcontact therewith, a shaft ,for said cam, a motor, a worm worm and gear dri-ve between said motor and said shaft, and separate oil chame bers enclosing said cam and drive, said shaft having a bearing in the wall between said chambers, said bearing being adapted and arranged to he oiled bythe splash from said cam.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an air compressor comprising a piston cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, driving means for said piston, an air chamber surrounding one end'of said cylinder and said driving means, and having communication with said end of said cylinder, and means for ventilating saidchamber and adapted to prevent substantial escape of oil therefrom.

8. In a motor driven compressor unit, a compressor casing, a motor casing aflixed thereto, said compressor casing having three chambers therein'in alignment, the central one of said chambers having an aperture in its side, said motor casing having a bracket thereon projecting through said aperture into said central chamber, and a bearing for the shaftof said motor in said bracket.

9. In a motor driven compressor unit, a compressor casing, a motor casing aflixed thereto, said compressor casing having three chambers therein in alignment, the

central one of said chambers having an aperture in its side, said motor casing havinga bracket lthereon projecting through said aperture into said central chamber, a bearing for the shaft of said motor in saidbracket, and a thrust bearing on the inner I face of the bracket.

10. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of an air pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, a switch for controlling said motor, a holder adapted to be held in the hand, having air connectionsv with said pump, and a valve for controlling the air to said holder, said switch and valve both being supported by said holder.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an air pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, a switch for controlling said motor, a holder adapted to be held in the hand, a conduit for leading air from said pump to said holder, and a valve for controlling the passage of air from said conduit to said holder said switch and said valve being both mounted near the end of said conduit.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an air pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, an air using device, a conduit leadin from said pump to said device, and wires orming part of the circuit of said motor embedded in the wall structure of said conduit.

FRANK MORGAN HOWE. 

